(update 25/02/2021)
ASF is spreading itself over more and more countries worldwide lately.
African swine fever is a viral disease of pigs and wild boar that is usually deadly. There are neither vaccines nor cures. For this reason, it has serious socio-economic consequences in affected countries.
The typical signs of African swine fever are similar to classical swine fever, and the two diseases normally have to be distinguished by laboratory diagnosis. After infection the animals develop very severe, but unspecific general symptoms. ASP is no zoonosis, i.e. a disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans, and therefore represents no danger for humans.
Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, lack of energy, abortions, internal bleeding, with haemorrhages visible on the ears and flanks. Sudden death may occur. Severe strains of the virus are generally fatal (death occurs within 10 days). Animals infected with mild strains of African swine fever virus may not show typical clinical signs.
Transmission and spread
As shown in the infographic below, ASF infects wild boars and domestic pigs in several ways.
Movement of infected animals, contaminated pork products and the illegal disposal of carcasses are the most significant means of spread of the disease. Contact with blood is the most efficient route of transmission.
Recent outbreaks in the European Union
From Russia and Belarus, the disease spread to the European Union. Lithuania reported cases of African swine fever in wild boar for the first time in January 2014. Poland followed in February 2014 and Latvia and Estonia in June and September of the same year. In July 2017 ASF was detected in the Czech Republic and in September 2018 ASF was found in two wild boars in Belgium, near the French border.
In December 2018, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) showed 125 cases found of ASF in the Belgium wild boar population (all of them in a specifically closed off infection zone in the deep south of Luxembourg province). In May 2019 already 804 death infected wild boars have been reported by OIE. All of them within the infected zone near the French border.
November 18th Polish media reported dead boar carcasses at 85km from the border with Germany which means the virus is heading more and more westerly.
Asia
The disease does not appear to be slowing its geopgraphic spread. In the meantime (November 2019) all coastal provinces from north to south China now at least reported 1 outbreak of the virus ever since ASF was first detected in China in August 2018. On the 13th of May 2019 also Hong Kong announced their first outbreak of ASF. About 1,192,000 pigs have been culled up to today.
In January 2019 the first outbreaks in Mongolia where a fact and in February 2019 Vietnam announced the first outbreak near capital Hanoi. The number of pigs affected and culled according to the OIE is now (11/2019) more than 5,800,000 pigs. All 63 provinces/cities reported outbreaks. Besides Vietnam also Cambodia confirmed their first outbrakes in April 2019. Since then outbreaks have been reported in 5 provinces. Also in neighboring country Laos outbreaks are reported. Since the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry confirmed the first ASF outbreak on 20 June 2019, more than 165 ASF outbreaks were reported. In all 18 Provinces / city; 39,000 pigs have died or been destroyed due to the ASF.
In july 2019 also The Phillipines (Department of Agriculture) confirmed the first ASF outbreak, there have been a total of 24 ASF outbreaks in nine provinces/cities on Luzon Island; nearly 70,000 pigs have been culled, with new cases found in e.g. Metro Manila. The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) randomly took samples from items seized in ports and airports; 34 of the 364 samples tested positive for ASF.
Meanwhile in Indonesia ASF has killed over 28,000 pigs in the province of North Sumatra.
This became clear when the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) released its first update (18/12/2019) on the progress of the virus into Indonesia. In the update, it stated that in total 392 different backyard farms had been found infected with the virus, affecting 28,136 pigs. ASF has been found in 16 districts. The first outbreak was dated as early as September 4.
It is likely that the virus, for which there is no vaccine, will eventually spread out over the whole of South East Asia.
Protection with Pikoline Hygiene Solutions
Strong biosecurity both internally and externally helps professionals to protect their animals, farms, production plants, transport vehicles etc. against infectious diseases such as ASF.
Pikoline offers several products to contribute to optimum biosecurity for farmers, food processors and transporters around the world. Our Hygiene Solutions range contains HQ cleaners and registrated disinfectants such as PikoDes Combi and PikoDes P which are tested and declared effective against virusses such as ASF.
